Kingston has two claims to fame. Firstly, it was the coronation point for 'Seven Saxon Kings of Old' (but none of the good ones like Alfred the Great or Edward the Confessor) and secondly its bridge. Yep, Kingston Upon Thames was the first crossing point upstream from London Bridge until 1729, and as one of the oldest crossing points over the River Thames it made this part of the world actually quite important. As you can see, transport in the 'London Area' was as convoluted back then as it is now. This ramshackled wooden bridge made Kingston an important node in the transport hub of what would eventually become South West London and in fact the main reason why Kingston Upon Thames today is still a 'Metropolitan Centre' of the suburbs is due entirely to its crossing over the Thames.
This little wooden bridge became a focal point for trade and tales. Some say that there was a crossing here since Roman Times, but Kingston's Roman history has always remained dubious. There was definitely a fording point during the Saxon era, when Kingston really came into its own and from 11th century there is documentary evidence of a crossing over the River. Of course being Kingston Upon Thames, any history about the old bridge is scant at best.
The old bridge however has left its mark on the present landscape of the riverside and here we can see the view from the old approach towards the 'new' bridge which was first constructed a little further upstream in 1828.
I say 'first' constructed for a reason. The new Kingston Bridge has been widened twice since its grand opening in 1828. Once in 1914 on the downstream side in order to stop the local population from being knocked over by trams and again in 2000 on the upstream side as part of general repairs to the bridge. So this single crossing is in fact three bridges all pasted together. Only when you go underneath the bridge do you see the full impact of the various bits that have been bolted onto this river crossing.
Kingston Bridge itself is not that bad a crossing and is probably one of the better designed bridges over the River Thames. This is in no small part due to its widening in 2000. It consists of two (fairly narrow) lanes for general traffic in either direction. Add to this a bus lane going towards Kingston and cycle paths on both sides of the bridge as well as wide pavements to take the masses over the Thames.
Being my home town, I have used Kingston Bridge more than any other crossing over the River. During this tour of the river there are a few crossings that I have never utilised before, but Kingston bears quite the opposite distinction. I have driven or have been driven, numerous times over it. I have walked over it and I have cycled over it countless times. I have also walked beneath it plenty of times (part of the bridge overhangs both river banks) and have rowed beneath it once. It is 'my' crossing in the sense that I have used it so many times in the past and will probably continue to do so in the future. Not only is it a functional crossing, but it is also quite a handsome bridge, it arches makes an imposing image over the river. It is probably the prettiest structure in Kingston and its listed status is actually something that is actually deserved. It is one of London's understated crossings, but not for want of being quiet. Around 50,000 vehicles use it everyday but do so in relative ease, despite the stupid one way system that exists in the town centre. But it is one of London's more graceful crossings and an engineering delight that has been adapted twice to modern conditions and yet has retained its original architectural features. A case study in how to do something right. A combination of practicality and sound aesthetics. It's a shame the rest of this part of South London hasn't taken a leaf out of its book in the rest of its design.
Getting there:
Nearest Train: Kingston. Buses: The bridge is in the town centre but for the extremely lazy routes 111, 216, 281, 285, 411 and 481 along with 451, 461 and 513 serve stops closest to the bridge on both sides of the river. X26 serves the Southbank (Kingston Side) only.
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